The world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton after her family announced Aug. 25 that the country music legend had died. The East Tennessee native was 80.
Parton, whose career spanned nearly 60 years, was a renowned philanthropist who supported a diverse array of projects and causes, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has given away more than 304 million books since it launched in 1995.
Parton was also beloved by Vols fans and visited a Tennessee football game to sing "Rocky Top" as recently as 2023. Parton attended the Vols' game against Georgia on Nov. 18, 2023, and Tennessee legend Peyton Manning escorted her onto the field after the first quarter for her rendition of the classic.
She was decked out in a fully bedazzled outfit with orange
pants and a white jacket, complete with big orange hoop earrings. The crowd roared for Parton, who had technical issues and said she couldn't hear because her sound went out and the stadium was so loud.
Tennessee athletics also had a partnership with Parton that year that included an exclusive Vols edition of Parton's album "Rockstar," which includes a live version of her singing "Rocky Top" along with a co-branded merchandise line.
Parton spoke at a UT commencement in 2009 and was given an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. Her world tour stopped on Tennessee's campus in 2011 and 2014.
The sports world mourns Dolly Parton
We will always love you 🧡 pic.twitter.com/TWW1s2nG0G
— VolShop (@UTVolShop) August 25, 2026
We are saddened by the passing of a Tennessee icon, Dolly Parton.
— Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (@theTSHF) August 25, 2026
Dolly was named the the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame's Tennessean of the Year in 2020 for her countless contributions to the state. https://t.co/u5jvgfkanI
Since 1995, The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has given away over 318 MILLION BOOKS! She created the program to honor her father who could not read or write because he didn’t have an opportunity to go to school. Just a small part of her legacy. pic.twitter.com/LVS9Uyv1pE
— Bob Starkey (@CoachBobStarkey) August 25, 2026
RIP to a real one https://t.co/Vw7k2Dpacr
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) August 25, 2026
A Tennessee legend. A Southern icon.
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 25, 2026
A voice for the ages.
Thanks for a life well lived, Dolly 🧡 pic.twitter.com/5ZUz2WBpYo
One of the brightest lights has gone out.💔I was a huge Dolly fan & so little had to do with her music. I loved Dolly because of how she always saw the good and was the good. She was a uniter, she was fun, she was love.❤️What a life well lived. We will "always love you", Dolly! https://t.co/tNakyzLeLk
— Jan Jensen (@goiowa) August 25, 2026
Our thoughts are with Dolly's family, her friends and the millions of people whose lives she impacted through her music and passion for helping others 💛 https://t.co/Qflzvp1wKW
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) August 25, 2026
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton remembered by sports world after country music legend dies at 80
